Predicting family functioning after TBI: Impact of neurobehavioral factors

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Study investigated the impact of neurobehavioral factors on family functioning in patients with mild and moderate/severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) compared to patients with orthopedic injuries (OI). In each group, patients and a family member completed the Family Assessment Device and the Neurobehavioral Functioning Index at hospital discharge and at 1-year follow-up. At discharge, patients with moderate/severe TBI had more symptoms of depression, memory/attention problems, and motor impairments than patients with OI and greater communication difficulties than patients with OI or mild TBI. At follow-up, patients with moderate/severe TBI continued to have more problems in memory/attention, depression, and communication. Approximately one third of each group had unhealthy family functioning at each assessment period. Few patients reported both impaired family functioning and clinical depression. Distressed family functioning correlated strongly with increased rated of neurobehavioral symptoms. Family dysfunction at follow-up was best predicted by family dysfunction at discharge and depression or memory/attention deficits at follow-up.

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